[News] Open letter to the Minister of Education - Teachers denounce an unfair provision: 'It puts us in a humiliating position'

[Mindsphere.]

 

Open letter to the Minister of Education - Teachers denounce an unfair provision: 'It puts us in a humiliating position'

 

A provision in a ministerial order arouses the dissatisfaction of teachers. Teachers from the "Gheorghe Lazăr" National College in Bucharest are asking Minister Anisie to waive the obligation to obtain parental consent for grading online activity during the pandemic. Teachers find this provision humiliating, because it introduces the presumption that the assessment is subjective and potentially incorrect. The open letter of the teachers from the "Gheorghe Lazăr" National College is also supported by the Alliance of Centennial Colleges.

We fully reproduce the open letter:

To the Minister of Education, Mrs. Monica Anisie

Dear Minister,

We, the teaching staff of the “Gheorghe Lazăr” National College, are writing to you to express our indignation towards the provisions of the article of art. 1, point 8, letter d) of OMEC no. 429/2020 - "The capitalization of the online activity through a grade / grade is done with the consent of the parent / legal supporter."

We all understand that we are going through a difficult and unique period, in which both we and the children are affected. We understand that this measure has been designed to prevent some additional difficulties. However, we consider that this article of the law is hasty and unfair.

Asking the parent / student for the grading of the online activity is an act that undermines the teacher's authority ("authority" in the sense of scientific expertise) and puts us, the teachers, in a humiliating position. The article, as it is now worded, tacitly implies the assumption that the assessment we make is subjective and potentially incorrect, so it must be validated by the student's legal representative.

As teachers in a prestigious educational institution, we know that the assessment must be done correctly and in this sense we have performance criteria and standards that guide our process. We also understand and respect the principle that any grade we give must be justified by clear evidence. We also know that the student must be informed and receive all the explanations regarding the grade obtained. If his grade is not justified, then there are legitimate ways to challenge it.

However, the obligation to seek the consent of the student or parent for the award of a grade does not fall within the principle set out above. It is an unjustified act, because it offers a discretionary right to the parent to favor a non-unitary and subjective evaluation, which undermines the quality of the evaluation and creates a completely bad precedent for the learning process in general. Article 72, paragraph 1 of the National Education Law provides: "Assessment focuses on competencies, provides real feedback to students and is the basis of individual learning plans." However, if the award of a grade is conditioned by a manifestation of discretionary will on the part of the parent, the assessment is no longer focused on competencies (which only the teacher is able to appreciate), but on the unilateral will of the parent, whose education law does not allows him to assess his child's academic skills.

Given the fact that we all want to be professionals and we want the good of the education system, as people who are valuable to children and adolescents today and tomorrow, we hope that you will take into account our opinion and give up the article mentioned.

 

Regards,

Prof. Nicolae Victor

Prof. Mariana Nicolaescu

Prof. Roxana Veleanovici

Prof. Daniela Nedelcu

Prof. Vadasz Levente

Prof. Elena Ștefan

Prof. Viorica Stanescu

Prof. Daniela Moraru

Prof. Corina Radu

Prof. Monica Alexandrescu

Prof. Gabriela Ianoș

Prof. Simona Popa

Prof. Ramona Ignat

Prof. Elena Sticlea

Prof. Toader Cristian

Prof. Anca Roman

Prof. Monica Taliu

Prof. Roxana Banu

Prof. Rodica Dincă

Prof. Ileana Ionescu

Prof. Petre Bădoiu

Prof. Manuela Mișcoci

Prof. Vlad Copil

Prof. Mariana Vasile

Prof. Tudor Dăneț

Prof. Maria Catana

Prof. Silviu Dumitru

Prof. Camelia Stîngă

Prof. Dumitra Stoica

Prof. Cristian Ciobănescu

Prof. Bogdan Petre

Prof. Alexandru Hânțari

Prof. Mihai Ivancea

Prof. Dorina Dan

Prof. Velican Alexandra

Prof. Dorina Nedelea

Prof. Stoica Aurelia

Prof. Melania Hancescu

Prof. Lucia Coc

Prof. Paul Buga

Prof. Dragoș Păduraru

Prof. Irina de Hillerin

Prof. Năstasie Adina

Prof. Cristina Vasile

Prof. Ștefan Ștefania

Prof. George Liviu Bănulescu

Prof. Magdalena Micu

Prof. Florin Rușanu

Prof. Paula Vătui

Prof. Anda-Irina Sturza

Edited June 2, 2020 by YaKuZa--BoSs
Closed Topic/complete 1 day.